A DELIGHTFUL ATTRACTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 812, 15 February 1910, Page 3

A DELIGHTFUL ATTRACTION.

THE SCARLET TROUBA-

DOURS

TO-MORROW NIGHT.

The greatest interest is being displayed in the visit to-morrow night, and for positively one night only, of the world-famous comedy costume company uom London, the Scarlet Troubadours. Their recent tour throughout Australia extending over many months, was in every way marked with success, where from advices to hand we learn they were greeted with packed houses in order to give an opportunity of seeing their performance to those persons who purchased tickets for the latter end of their Melbourne season and were unable to gain admission on account of not coming early enough. The Troubadours appeal not only to those who appreciate good music as dispensed by members of the finest quartette party in the world, but also to those who enjoy refined humour and harmless mirth. While nearly every member of the company is a singer of such eminence to have graced the London operatic stage in leading solos, all without exception are excellent actors and comedians. In fact Mr Edward Branscombe, celebrated entrepreneur, and their organiser and director, personally selected them as much for their histrionic abilities as for their vocal powers. Consequently, musical scenes, operatic gems, quaint sketches, melodramatic burlesque, and eccentric drolleries are staged, costumed, sung and acted in a manner that comes as a revalation to those who see them for the first time. In such an exceptionally strong caste of performers it is gratifying to find the name of Mr Ford Waltham, one of the most versatile artists of the day. He possesses a deep reverberating basso profuudo, whose equal has never before been heard in this country, and already in his career on the London stage he has filled the roles of principal in Carl Losa’s Grand Opera Company, and comedian in George Edwarde’s Musical Comedy Company. Mr Cunningham, the baritone, made a great reputation for himself with the London Meister Glee Singers. Additional interest and lustre is lent to the scenes and operatic numbers by the charming presence of such well-known actress vocalists as Miss Maude Fane and Miss Gertrude Parker, who have so frequently appeared in the soprano and soubrette leads respectively in London. The Jester, Mr Edward Warwick, has rapidly made his way to the top of his profession, and is described as inimitable and “ the second Mel. B. Spurr.” The art humourist, Mr Claude Leplastrier, is practically unique, and his beautiful coloured pictures, executed within sixty seconds, must be seen to be realised. In Mr Leonard Griffiths, of the London Royal Academy fame, the company possesses a magnificent pianist and a brilliant tenor, whose singing in the unaccompanied quartette is invaluable. The excellence of the stage business, acting and dancing, can well be estimated when it is known that this department is under the supervision of Mr Sydney Mannering, a glorious tenor, who has filled the same dual capacity for the famous Moody-Manuers Opera Company. The prices for admission are 4s, 2s 6d and is. The box plan and the day sales are at F. Levett’s. The management advise patrons to apply for their seat early, as an exceptionally large audience is assured.